Mixing business with pleasure at eisteddfod

LIKE many others in North Wales, the International Eisteddfod is one of the cultural highlights of my year and last week I had the privilege to use my visit to Llangollen to meet with representatives from the business community.

LIKE many others in North Wales, the International Eisteddfod is one of the cultural highlights of my year and last week I had the privilege to use my visit to Llangollen to meet with representatives from the business community.

Our cultural showcase provided a wonderful backdrop not only to promote what's “unique” about Wales but also for us, the Government of Wales, to demonstrate our wish to support the companies and organisations upon whom our livelihoods depend – directly or indirectly.

Llangollen is a magical town, in the shadow of Valle Crucis, Glyn y Groes. It is a wonderful setting for a unique festival – our own gift to the world dedicated to peace, culture and worldwide friendship.

For me it symbolises how national identity and true internationalism walk hand in hand – it would be a dull world without the variety of cultures celebrated on the eisteddfod field.

The International Eisteddfod also reminds us that we live in a global economy. So it was great to meet business owners and managers in the pavilion in the company of eisteddfod president Terry Waite.

The meeting meant I heard at first hand about the challenges businesses face, with this year’s escalation of fuel prices high on the list.

Our meeting also gave me the chance of describing the steps we are taking as a government to respond to those issues and enhance our attraction as a location for businesses large and small.

I am very conscious that businesses need to get on with their work as free as possible of financial burdens and red tape.

They also need skilled staff, a quality environment and infrastructure and effective transport links; and government has a role to play in delivering them, as well as lending a helping hand from time to time.

That is why in April I introduced the Single Investment Fund, a streamlined initiative that makes it easier for businesses to access government funds.

As elsewhere, businesses in North and mid Wales welcome our commitment to improve skill levels. For example, earlier this year, I confirmed Assembly Government support for collaboration between Deeside College and Barry College to establish a unique training service for Wales’ aerospace industry.

Welsh businesses benefit from the work of our university and colleges, and so another of our goals is commercialisation of academic research, with part of the European Convergence programme assigned to deliver on this agenda.

Devolution helps keep government in touch with our business community – and I am determined we do all we can to support their success.

Ieuan Wyn Jones is Deputy First Minister, Minister for the Economy and Transport and Anglesey AM